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He said: “It was committed in isolation. A friend suggested he could raise some easy cash by embarking on a modest growing enterprise. The breakdown of his relationship was the root cause of this offence. He is now back with his partner and two children."

Recorder Andrew Easteal ordered Bacciochi to complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 days and 160 hours unpaid work as part of the community order.

The judge told Bacciochi: “You do not use cannabis. You do not use drugs. You were doing it purely for financial gain. You seem to have had no conception of how serious your behaviour was.

“A few more plants ready to be harvested and you would have been going to prison.

“You were frank to the point of utter naivety by the way you spoke to the police. You put everything you have worked for in jeopardy."